New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-30
sFJE.GOVERNING BURDENS

The people of New-York have had bad gov
eminent. because they have deserved no De'Vcr
Too many OF them have been such slaves vi
party that they would not listen 10 cViuchcc
AGAINST their candidates. Too many were Will
mo to vote for known scoundrcls, when noml-
mated by their party. Too many who would vote
for honest government, if they voted at ALL
have been so faithless to their duties as citizens
that they would not take the trouble to register
or to vote. If men of these classes suffer rom
ring rule and robbery, they get what they
deserve.
That docs not lessen, but only increases, thc
personal responsibility Of other citizens IL
half the voters arc too ignorant, TOO sVnpid'
TOO blindy partisan or too lazy to vote for
honest government. the other half can the
less afford to miss any opportunity OF ueie"''"s
curruptiOniSts ncOmpctcnts, or Oh ciecVihs
faithful and capable officials. Self-governmehV
is always a boat in the rapids, swept swiftly
toward Niagara. If part of those on board VIII
not or cannot pull, the rest must for scii-prcs-
crvation take the oars and pull a'i the haruer'
Pulling means voting the right way. ana q
great deal moro IL means voting for the right
candidates, and upholding faithful officers
not. The Democrat who knows that 'o'ooo
votes will be cast by voting Cattle or by igno-
rant citizens, or by scamps and knavcs OF ny
preiudiccd paItisans for any ticket thaI ScoIi"
drclsm and corruption may dictate ca""''
escape persona! responsibility for pad govern
mcnt if he does not make himself worth TWO
voters in the tight for honest government ~
is a poor stick of n citizen who cannot influence
other votes than his own who cannot rcm,hd
careless ncighbors of their duty, STIR up inc
conscicnccs OF cnlightcn the minds oil acquaiht-
anccs. and so cast far more than one vote III
the struggle.
IL is a curse that crime must be defeated III
the business of sClf-Govcrnmcnt. as well as
ignorance. The men who use poilticai power
to rob the people never shrink from liaud
when that power is endangered. But he Is Il
moor stick of citizen who docs not take mat
for granted also, and feel that it is his sacred
duty to put in all the time and trouble necessary
TO guard as far as possible against fraudulent
vo,,nc and fraudulent returns. That duty has
to be performed on the part Of honest citizens
by somebody, and if a citizen ncglccts his share
Of it., he might with as much scli-rcspcct go
ont into the streets and beg. For he ~ trying
to sponge upon his nclEHDoIN i"i INV ''"'' '''''
trouble necessary to protect the most sacred OF
all his rights He would not Stoop 10 rely upon
charity for his breakfast, to beg IN ac4uAih'-
ancc for half dollar or half days work.
Yet he dcgradcs himself much more when he
leaves his share Of civic duties to be discharged
by others.
Tircsomc, is it, that these demands upon one ;
time arc made every year by self government, :
Go to Russia, then. But even there Christian
duty demands sacrifice Of self for the good oi
others, As well as the faithful and honest per
Torrance Of duty to society. Nowhere on
earth can that duty be escaped. If 1t comes
not in the form of sclf-gOycrnmcnt' IL makes
other demands not less burdcnsomc. Ana
everywhere the immutabc Jaw has aches ana
death for those who neglect health. crime ana
loss for those who fail to uphold justice ana
curses innumciabic for those who try to i've
for self and to do nothing for the good OF man
/ Elud